Automatic ice making machine



Dec. 13, 1966 H, ROEDTER 3,290,892

AUTOMATIC ICE MAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 1964 2 Sheets-$heet 1 7| 70N I 69 65 i: l8 Ii 5! 75 O 73 JNVEN TOR.

ll ig j HENRY, E. ROEDTER B ,2 W

ATTORNEY.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 21, 1964 mm .m ON 9 INVENTOR. HENRY E.ROEDTER BY whfl vym ATTOIRNEY United States Patent Ofilice 3,290,802Patented Dec. 13, 1966 3,290,892 AUTOMATIC ICE MAKING MACHINE Henry E.Roedter, 538 Clinton Springs Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio Filed Oct. 21, 1964,Ser. No. 405,358 Claims. (Cl. 62-137) The present invention relates toice making machines of the general type shown in US. Patent 2,770,102issued November 13, 1956. Reference is made to that patent for acomplete description of an automatic ice maker of the type whichincludes a mold for freezing masses of ice (hereinafter referred to asice cubes). These cubes are ejected from the mold which is subsequentlyfilled with fresh water in preparation for a harvesting cycle duringwhich ice is removed from the mold. The ejection of ice by a combinationof heat and pressure is automatically controlled in accordance with thepresent invention. Further, in accordance with the present invention,there is provided a timer-programming system for controlling the cycleof operation of the automatic ice maker. Among other features thecontrol system in accordance with the present invention includesswitches or sensing devices which recognize that the ice has beenejected, all for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The mold shown in my US. Patent 2,770,102 is secured to a cooled wall,such as the wall of an evaporator, to provide a refrigeratedenvironment. The mold defines a plurality of cavities in which aredisposed flexible liners. In FIG. 1 of the present specification themold is indicated by the reference numeral 39. A typical one of theliners is shown at 47 in FIGS. 2 and 3. When in the FIG. 2 position theliners are filled with water which is frozen by heat transfer. After theice has frozen a thermostat 36 (FIG. 4) closes a circuit and causes tobe energized a heater 45 and a pump 43, 44 which forces working fluidunder pressure beneath the liners, thereby ejecting the ice from themolds. The ice cubes are directed to a receptacle or tray 73 where theyaccumulate until a pivoted detector arm 74, associated with switch 51(FIG. 4) detects that the tray is full, at which time switch 51 opens toprevent the ejection part of the cycle from occurring. The ice makerresumes operation as soon as the detector arm 74 senses that ice hasbeen removed from the tray 73. After ejection of the ice the liners suchas 47 are restored to their water receiving position (FIG. 2) and asupply of fresh Water is directed into the liners under the control ofthe timer-programmer 30.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in an automatic icemaker, an improved system for ejecting ice, comprising both heatingmeans and mechanical means working cooperatively.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an automatic icemaking machine, sensing means for determining that all of the ice cubeshave been ejected.

Another fundamental object of the invention is to provide an improvedtimer-programmer and control system for an automatic ice making machine.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference ismade to the following description of the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved automatic ice making machinein accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are end views of the mold 39 and associated elements,featuring liner 47, FIG. 2 showing the liner in water receiving positionand FIG. 3 showing the liner in the position it assumes when its mass offrozen Water has been ejected;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram, partially in outline form, showing thetimer-programmer and control system in accordance with the invention.

Now making reference to FIG. 1, it will be understood that the inventionis of primary utility as installed in a domestic refrigerator but it maybe used in a home freezer or other type of refrigerator.

The ice making machine includes a mold 39 which defines a plurality ofcavities (as shown in detail in FIG. 2 of my U.S. Patent 2,770,102). Itwill be understood that when ice is to be frozen water is led into themold cavities in a manner also shown in my US. Patent 2,770,102 (seewater line 13, FIG. 2 of that patent). After the ice has been frozen, aworking fluid is pumped underneath the liners (see elements 21, .22, 46,64 and 65 in FIGS. 3, 4 and 9 of my US. Patent 2,770,102) in order toinvert the liners (see FIGS. 2 and 3 of the present patent application)and eject the ice masses.

The FIG. 1 embodiment has seven mold freezing cavities or compartments,each provided with a liner such as liner 47. In order to guide thefrozen ice cubes into the tray there are mounted on top of the mold aplurality of deflecting members 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72, eachbeing formed with concave deflecting surfaces. One such member islocated on each side of each cavity.

Attention is now invited to the heater 45 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) which isprovided in accordance with the invention. This heater is utilized andcontrolled, in a manner described below, to facilitate and expedite theejection of the ice cubes.

Attention is further invited to the swingably mounted vanes 11-17(FIG. 1) each of which carries an individual one of the mercury switches1824 in such manner that when a liner, such as 47, is in the invertedposition (FIG. 3) the liner swings the vane counterclockwise and closesthe switch. For example, in FIG. 3 ice has been ejected and the switch18 senses that fact, vane 11 being forced to its counterclockwiseposition by the inverted liner 47. Vane 1.1 is representative of theseven vanes and it is swingably mounted on a suitable pivot 75. Wheneach liner, such as 47, returns to its water receiving position, thevane then drops to its clockwise position, as shown in FIG. 2. Thefunction of all of these switches in the aggregate is to sense when icehas been ejected from all of the liners.

The discussion below will deal not only with the mercury switches orsensing devices 1824, but it will also discuss the basket switch 51,which is a mercury switch like in structure and broad function to thatshown at 55 in FIG. 2 of my US. Patent 2,770,102. Arm '74 is secured tovane 14 and is therefore in raised position when the tray 73 is full ofice cubes. When in that position arm 74 opens switch 51. The switch 51is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and corresponds to that numbered 55 in my saidU.S. Patent 2,770,102.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a preferredform of control system in accordance with the invention. The system willbe described in terms of elements performing the various functionsinvolved, using as a starting point the conditions present when water inall of the ice cavities has frozen. In order to sense the fact of suchfreezing and then automatically to initiate a series of events whichcause the ice cubes to be ejected, there is provided a thermostat switch36 (FIG. 4). This thermostat switch is open until water in the ice moldsis frozen, whereupon the switch 36 closes.

The initiation of ejection is desired only when the ice cube basket isnot full and therefore there is placed in series circuit with thermostat36 a mercury switch 51. p

This switch 51 is open when the basket is full of cubes and it closes tosense that the basket is not full and to permit ejection to occur whenit is ordered by the thermostat 36. Now it will be observed thatswitches 51 and 36 are in series circuit with one side 60 of analternating current 'supply line and they are also in series circuitwith coil 40 of a relay 35. Included in relay 35 is a holding circuitcomprising contacts 37 and 38, which holding circuit is closed when coil40 is energized.

Now in accordance with the invention, the ejection of the ice cubes isaccomplished by a combination of hydraulic pressure under the linerswhich contain the cubes and heat, which facilitates their severance fromthe liners. It will therefore be understood that the harvesting relay 35should initiate the performance of two functions: energizing of heater45 and motor 43. Accordingly there are provided in that relay contacts41 and 42 in series circuit between the ungrounded power supply line 63and forward-run motor 43 which is coupled, via speed reducer 76 anddrive coupling 77 to a hydraulic pump 44, thereby driving the pump inthe forward-run direction. When the pump drives in that direction itwithdraws hydraulic fluid, via line 78, from reservoir 55 and forcesfluid under pressure through line 64 for the purpose of forcing the icecubes out of the liners.

The contacts 41 and 42 are also in series circuit between electricalsupply line 60 and heater 45 so that when the relay 35 is actuated,heater 45 is energized whereby, as indicated above, both heat andpressure are utilized to sever the ice cubes from the molds.

The discussion of the system at this point has assumed that an order toprepare cubes has been given at some place in the system. This order isrendered by a timer and programming device 30, which includes a circuitclosing device comprising a cam 33 and a pair of contacts 34 in seriescircuit between the holding circuit of relay 35 and line 60. When cam 33is closing the contacts 34 this action is effectively an order to ejectice cubes when they are ready, provided the conditions sensed by thefull basket switch 51 and thermostat 36 so indicate.

At this point there has been described the structure which functions tosupply pressure and heat to the liners for the purpose of ejecting theice cubes.

Collaterally the hydraulic pump 44 is provided with a relief by-passvalve 46 which by-passes hydraulic fluid until the heat generated byheater 45 has become effective to release the ice cubes. When eachflexible liner 47 yields to the pressure of the pump, as limited by therelief bypass, each ice cube is ejected and each mold assumes aninverted position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Now, as was explained inthe description of FIGS. 2 and 3, there is associated with each liner aswingably mounted vane, the vanes being numbered 11-17. Each vanecarries one of the mercury switches 18-24. The mercury switches 18-24are closed when the several vanes are elevated by the inverted liners.When all of the ice cubes have been ejected and all the liners have beeninverted, then the switches 18-24, being in series circuit with eachother and also with motor 50 of the timer-programmer, cause the motor tobegin to run. That is, the switches sense that all cubes have beenejected and by closing they collectively tell the timer-programmer 30that a new cycle can be initiated. That is, they tell thetimer-programmer that all of the liners are empty. The timer-programmermotor 50 includes a holding circuit which comprises full revolution cam31 and contacts 32, the latter being closed by the cam 31 to cause motor50 to run sufficiently long to go through a full cycle of thetimer-programmer.

At this point the description proceeds to the structure which causes thehydraulic fluid to be withdrawn from underneath the molds and put backinto the reservoir 55. It will be understood that the functions calledfor at this point (i.e. ice ejected) are the stopping of motor 43 andreversal of pump 44 and deenergization of heater 45, and

' the performance of these functions in turn calls for the opening ofrelay 35. Accordingly, the timer-programmer 30 is so arranged that atthis point in the cycle the forward-run cam 33 opens the contacts 34,interrupting the holding circuit of relay 35, and allowing the relay toopen, thereby breaking the circuit to the forward-run motor 43 and alsothe circuit to the heater 45.

Now in order to drive the pump 44 in the reverse direction there isprovided a reverse motor 52 which drives through speed reducer 76 andcoupling 77 so that pump 44 withdraws hydraulic fluid through line 64and forces it into reservoir 55 via hydraulic line 78. The motor 52receives an order from the timer-programmer, being in series circuitwith reversing contacts 58 which are closed by reversing cam 48. Becauseof the action of the holding circuit comprising the elements 31 and 32,the motor 50 continues to run even after the energizing circuitcomprising the switches 1824 is opened as the vanes 1117 return to theirdown positions.

Now at this point in the cycle the timer-programmer 30 is running andthe liners are empty and the discussion therefore proceeds to thestructure which again furnishes water to the liners. This structureconsists of a water supply line 25 and a controlling solenoid 56 and awater line 27 leading to the ice liners. The solenoid 56 is energizedwhen the cam 53 closes contacts 54 (if contacts 58 are closed), thisconstituting an order to fill the molds with water.

Referring now to the timer-programmer, it will be understood that whenall switches 18-24 become closed there is automatically given to motor50 of timer-programmer 30 an order to start and that motor in turnactuates elements 31 and 32 to give itself an order to hold, Whereupon,in sequence, the timer-programmer functions as follows: elements 33 and34 to deenergize relay 35 and therefore to break the circuits of forwardmotor 43 and heater 45, the elements 48 and 58 to make the circuit ofmotor 52 and therefore to cause the hydraulic fluid to be withdrawn fromunder the liners; cam 53 and contacts 54 to energize solenoid 56 andcause the liners to be suitably filled with water.

Having described the arrangement and the control system I shall nowdescribe a cycle of operation.

When water in the ice mold 39, FIG. 1, becomes frozen the thermostatswitch 36 closes. The closing of the thermostat switch sends currentthrough to the full basket detector arm mercury switch 51 to the relaycoil 40 of the relay 35 which closes, making holding contact on itselfthrough the circuit of its terminals 37 and 38, which circuit is inseries with the forward-run contactor 34 of the timer-programmer 30.

At the time the relay 35 closes contacts 41 and 42 of the relay closethe circuit on the forward-run motor 43 of the hydaulic pump 44 and onthe heater circuit of heater 45, FIG. 4. Contacts 41 and 42 of the relayare ejectionordering means. The heater 45 is clamped to the ice mold 39,as shown in the description of FIG. 1.

The hydraulic pump 44 is provided with a relief bypass valve 46 andby-passes hydraulic fluid until the heat has become effective inreleasing the ice pieces. When the flexible liners such as 47, FIGS. 2and 3, yield tothe pressure of the pump as limited by the reliefby-pass, the ice pieces are ejected and the flexible liners assume aninverted position, FIG. 3, holding the vanes 1117 carrying the mercuryswitches 18-24 in an up position. In the up position the mercuryswitches 18-24 are closed. The mercury switches are connected in seriesand when all the mercury switches are up and closed the circuit is, as aresult, closed on the motor 50 of the timer-programmer 30.

The timer-programmer 30 upon starting makes contact upon itself throughthe full revolution cam 31 and contacts 32 and does not again stop untila full cycle of the timer-programmer 30 has been made.

As the timer-programmer 30 continues to run the forward-run cam 33 openscontacts 34 and the hold circuit of the relay 35 is interrupted,allowing the relay to open. The opening of the relay breaks the circuitsto the forward-run motor 43 of the hydraulic pump 44 and to the heater45. Still further running of the timer-programmer 30 closes contacts 58,completing a circuit to the reverse motor 52 of the hydraulic pump 44and to the water fill contacts 54 of the timer-programmer 30. As thereverse motor 52 runs, hydraulic fluid is pumped from beneath theinverted flexible liners such as 47, FIG. 3, back to the reservoir 55,and the flexible liners are restored to the fill position, FIG. 2, byatmospheric pressure.

As the flexible liners resume the down or water fill position as shownin FIG. 2, the vanes 11-17 carrying the mercury switches 18-24 alsoreturn to a down position and the mercury switches open the circuit theyhave previously made on the timer-programmer motor 5t but this motorcontinues to run because there is another circuit still supplying itwith current through the holding or complete-cycle cam 31 and contacts32.

As the reverse motor 52 runs pumping hydraulic fluid back to thereservoir 55 the water fill cam 53 and contacts 54 of thetimer-programmer make contact, causing the solenoid water valve 56 toopen and admit water to the freezing molds 47. Since the reverse runcontacts 58 of the timer-programmer 30 are used to bring current to thewater fill contacts 54 and the water fill contacts 54 is thus in serieswith the reverse run contacts, the breaking of the circuit of thereverse run contacts also breaks the water fill circuit to the waterfill solenoid valve 56. By the combined action of the two sets of cams48 and 53 and contacts (the reverse run and the water fill) a brief timeperiod of in the neighborhood of fifteen seconds can be obtained for theduration of the water fill even though the timer-programmer 30 is slowrunning, such as one revolution in five or six minutes. The slow speedof the timer would make it diflicult to obtain a close coupled on and oaction from a single cam.

As described so far the liners are now back in the ice freezingposition, are filled with water, and the timerprogrammer is running onto reach its automatically off position by the action of the onerevolution or full cycle cam 31 and contacts 32.

In the operation described the thermostat switch 36 became reset to openit contacts at a point in time after heat was applied by the heater 45,both the heater and the thermostat 36 being clamped to the ice mold 39.

When the thermostat switch 36 opens due to heat application, the relay35 which it has caused to close does not open because of the use of itsself holding contacts 37 and 38, maintaining the circuit on the coil 40of the relay in series with the forward run contacts 34 of thetimer-programmer.

When the timer-progammer reaches its automatic stop position all currentis off until the thermostat switch 36 again closes, indicating that icepieces are again ready for harvest.

Thus it will be seen that the improvement in accordance with theinvention comprises, in combination: a plurality of switching means18-24 individual to the several cavities for sensing that all of thefrozen ice cubes have been ejected from the cavities; and atimer-programmer 30 including a motor 50. The switches 1824 are includedin circuit between the motor 50 and the energy source (i.e. supply line60) in order to prevent the motor from starting unless all of theswitches 1824 are closed to indicate that the cavities are empty. Thetimer-programmer further includes means 31, 32 for assuring that themotor runs through a predetermined cycle. The timer-programmer 30further includes means 53, 54 for controlling the water supply means 56,27 so that water is delivered to the ice cavities. Additionally, thetimerprogrammer 30 includes means 48, 58 for controlling the element 52of the reversible pumping means 43, 52, 76, 77, 44 to force the workingfluid back into the reservoir 55. Finally there is included in thetimer-programmer 30 a first circuit closing means 33, 34, which isprovided simply to assure that the ejection-control relay or harvesting35 will not become activated unless an order for programming has beenmade. The first circuit closing means 33, 34 is therefore aharvest-enabling means.

The thermostat 36 is the means for sensing that the water in thecavities has become frozen and the element 51 is the means for sensingthat the tray is not full. The

combination further includes the relay means 35 which is controlled bythe sensing means 36 and 51, on condition that the water has frozen andthe tray is not full and the circuit closing means 33, 34 is closed, toinitiate the ejection function. Accordingly the combination includes aheater 45 and second circuit closing means 41, 42 between the energysource and the heater 45, as well as the forward element 43 of thereversible pumping means, this second circuit closing means beingactuated by the relay 35 to cause the reversible pumping means to pumpworking fluid under the cavities, so that the ejection function isperformed by the application of both heat and pressure.

While there has been shown and described what is at present consideredto be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, variousmodifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and itis intended in the appended claims to secure the invention with a properrange of equivalents.

Having described my invention, 1 claim:

1. In an automatic ice maker of the type including a plurality of moldcavities, flexible liners secured within each of said cavities, meansfor supplying water to said liners when the liners are disposed withinthe mold cavities, means for supplying a refrigerated environment forfreezing said water, a reservoir for working fluid, and reversiblepumping means for withdrawing working fluid from the reservoir andforcing it beneath said liners whereby the liners are flexed to ejectice formed therein, and a tray for frozen ice, the improvement whichcomprises in combination: a plurality of switching means individual tothe several cavities for sensing that all of the frozen masses of icehave been ejected from said cavities; a timer-programmer including amotor, said switches being included in circuit between said motor and anenergy source in order to prevent. the motor from starting unless all ofthe switches are closed to indicate that said cavities are empty; saidtimer-programmer further including means for assuring that the motorruns through a predetermined cycle, means controlling the water supplymeans so that water is delivered to the ice cavities, means forcontrolling the reversible pumping means to force the working fluid backinto the reservoir, and a first circuit closing means; means for sensingthat the water in the cavities has become frozen, means for sensing thatthe tray is not full, relay means controlled by the last two sensingmeans, on condition that the water has frozen and that the tray is notfull. and that the first circuit closing means is closed, to initiatethe ejection function; a heater for melting ice, and a second circuitclosing means between said energy source and the reversible pump meansand actuated by said relay means to energize the heater and to cause thereversible pump means to pump working fluid under said cavities, wherebythe ejection function is performed by the application of both heat andpressure.

2. In an automatic ice maker of the type including a mold includingseveral cavities, means for supplying water to said cavities, and meansfor supplying a refrigerated environment for freezing said water, theimprovement which comprises in combination: an ice heater, pressuremeans activated to eject ice from the mold and relieved to ready itselffor reactivation, relay means for activating the pressure means and theheater, a timer-programmer comprising: first, a motor; second, firstcontact means for controlling the pressure means so that it is relieved;third,

second contact means dependent on the first contact means forcontrolling the water supply means to deliver water to the mold; andfourth, a third contact means, said relay means being responsive to thethird contact means for initiating the ejection function, whereby theejection function is performed by the application of both heat andpressure, and a plurality of switching means individual to the severalcavities for sensing that all of the frozen masses of ice have beenejected from said cavities; said switching means being included incircuit between said motor and its energy source in order to prevent themotor from starting unless all of the switches are closed to indicatethat said cavities are empty.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 2 in which the motor hasfourth contact means for assuring that the motor will remain energizedfor a predetermined cycle and in which all the contact means areactivated by ganged rotary cams.

4. In an automatic ice maker of the type including a plurality of moldcavities, individual flexible liners secured within said cavities, meansfor supplying water to said liners when the liners are non-inverted anddisposed within the mold cavities, means for supplying a refrigeratedenvironment for freezing said water, a reservoir for working fluid,reversible pumping means for withdrawing working fluid from or returningit to the reservoir, and a heater for melting the ice to aid in theejection, the improvement which comprises in combination:

a thermostat having an open condition and a closed condition forindicating the presence of ice in the molds,

a harvesting relay in circuit with said thermostat and adapted to beenergized when the thermostat is in closed condition, said relayincluding a relay holding circuit,

a programming device comprising a motor having a motor holding circuitand a plural-circuit cam switch driven by said motor, said cam switchincluding 8 harvest-enabling means in series with said relay holdingcircuit, said relay further including ejection-ordering means adapted tocause the reversible pumping means to withdraw fluid from the reservoirand force it beneath said liners, whereby the liners are inverted andeject the ice, and to energize the heater whereby the ejection is aided,

means sensitive to the absence of ice in the molds for starting saidtimer motor, said plural circuit cam- 10 switch further including thefollowing contact means,

means for closing the motor holding circuit,

means for causing the reversible pumping means to return working fluidto the reservoir whereby the liners are restored to their normalpositions,

and means for controlling the water supply means to supply water to saidmolds. 5. The combination in accordance with claim 4 in which theautomatic ice maker includes a tray for frozen ice and in which theimprovement includes an overfill switch adapted to be closed when thetray is not full, said switch being in series with said harvesting relayand said thermostat whereby the thermostat cannot be energized unlessthe tray is not full.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

W. E. WAYNER, Assistant Examiner.

4. IN AN AUTOMATIC ICE MAKER OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF MOLDCAVITIES, INDIVIDUAL FLEXIBLE LINERS SECURED WITHIN SAID CAVITIES, MEANSFOR SUPPLYING WATER TO SAID LINERS WHEN THE LINERS ARE NON-INVERTED ANDDISPOSED WITHIN THE MOLD CAVITIES, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A REFRIGERATEDENVIROMENT FOR FREEZING SAID WATER, A RESERVOIR FOR WORKING FLUID,REVERSIBLE PUMPING MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING WORKING FLUID FROM OR RETURNINGIT TO THE RESERVOIR, AND A HEATER FOR MELTING THE ICE TO AID IN THEEJECTION, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A COMBINATION: A THERMOSTATHAVING AN OPEN CONDITION AND A CLOSED CONDITION FOR INDICATING THEPRESENCE OF ICE IN THE MOLDS, A HARVESTING RELAY IN CIRCUIT WITH SAIDTHERMOSTAT AND ADAPTED TO BE ENERGIZED WHEN THE THERMOSTAT IS IN CLOSEDCONDITION, SAID RELAY INCLUDING A RELAY HOLDING CIRCUIT, A PROGRAMMINGDEVICE COMPRISING A MOTOR HAVING A MOTOR HOLDING CIRCUIT AND AAPLURAL-CIRCUIT CAM SWITCH DRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR, SAID CAM SWITCHINCLUDING HARVEST-ENABLING MEANS IN SERIES WITH SAID RELAY HOLDINGCIRCUIT, SAID RELAY FURTHER INCLUDING EJECTION-ORDERING MEANS ADAPTED TOCAUSE THE REVERSIBLE PUMPING MEANS TO WITHDRAW FLUID FROM THE RESERVOIRFORCE IT BENEATH SAID LINERS, WHEREBY THE LINERS ARE INVERTED AND EJECTTHE ICE, AND TO ENERGIZE THE HEATER WHEREBY THE EJECTION IS AIDED, MEANSSENSITIVE TO THE ABSCENCE OF ICE IN THE MOLDS FOR STARTING SAID TIMERMOTOR, SAID PLURAL CIRCUIT CAMSWITCH FURTHER INCLUDING THE FOLLOWINGCONTACT MEANS, MEANS FOR CLOSING THE MOTOR HOLDING CIRCUIT, MEANS FORCAUSING THE REVERSIBLE PUMPING MEANS TO RETURN WORKING FLUID TO THERESERVOIR WHEREBY THE LINERS ARE RESTORED TO THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS ANDMEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE WATER SUPPLY MEANS TO SUPPLY WATER TO SAIDMOLDS.